Top 20 most comforting pasta recipes
Warm up with a comforting bowl of pasta – try one of our top recipes, from classics such as lasagne, to delicious meat-free alternatives
When wet and dreary weather strikes, even in summer, it's often better to swap typical sunny summer barbecue recipes – like our easy barbecue recipes, vegetarian barbecue recipes and barbecue sides – for something more comforting. A warming bowl of pasta not only ticks that box, but is perfect for staving off the upcoming winter blues. Pasta is also a great option when you're low on energy, as it only takes minutes to prepare – check out our helpful guide of tips and tricks on how to cook pasta to ensure you're getting it right every time. It's also great for feeding a crowd, as many of our recipes can be batch-cooked or frozen. For more, check out our top 10 pasta recipes for feeding a crowd.
If you're trying to reduce your energy usage during the cost of living crisis, find out how to cook pasta in the microwave and discover our best no-cook pasta sauce recipes.
1. Chicken & bacon pasta
Toss chicken, bacon and tagliatelle in a creamy sauce to make this easy pasta dish. With only two steps, it's the perfect fuss-free dinner after a hard day. Pair with a fresh salad, like our kale salad or marinated tomato salad for extra colour and crunch.
2. Caponata pasta
Craft our effortless vegetarian caponata pasta in a mere 20 minutes. This recipe is designed to be simple, budget-friendly and nutritious, providing three of your five-a-day. The briny saltiness and tangy sourness of the capers perfectly complement the natural sweetness offered by the raisins, creating a fantastic flavour pairing.
Discover more delicious budget-friendly pasta recipes.
3. Healthy vegan pasta bake
Enjoy this hearty, healthy vegan pasta bake midweek, then reheat the leftovers on another night. It's made with courgettes, lentils, basil and a clever cashew topping that replaces traditional white sauce – simply blitz soaked cashews with nutritional yeast and bouillon powder.
Discover more delicious freezable pasta bake recipes.
4. Pasta with salmon & peas
Cook this salmon pasta dish in less than 20 minutes – a perfect family dinner that everyone will enjoy. It also provides a healthy dose of fibre and omega-3 fatty acids, ensuring a wholesome dinner that packs in the nutrients.
Discover more fresh salmon pasta recipes.
5. Big-batch bolognese
Experience the heartwarming comfort of this high-protein bolognese, which is made in a large batch so you'll have a meal ready to go when you need it – simply freeze half, defrost and reheat when you're hungry. You can also make this in a slow cooker, saving both time and energy.
Check out more of our batch-cooking recipes and slow-cooker recipes for further inspiration.
6. Baked feta pasta
Try this easy vegetarian pasta bake – sweet roasted cherry tomatoes pair well with the soft, tangy feta. Tip the cooked pasta in towards the end of baking, and loosen with some pasta water until the sauce is your desired consistency. Season to taste and scatter over basil leaves before serving.
Discover more vegetarian pasta bake recipes.
7. Spaghetti with tomato & walnuts
Serve a bowl of spaghetti with aubergine, tomatoes, capers and walnuts for a fibre-rich, healthy and filling lunch that's part of our Healthy Diet Plan. Who said sticking to a healthy vegan diet must be hard work? This recipe takes only 15 minutes to prepare, then it will be on your table in under an hour.
Check out more of our vegan pasta recipes.
8. Lemony tuna, tomato & caper one-pot pasta
Upgrade traditional tuna pasta by adding capers, mascarpone, lemon zest and parmesan. Cooking your pasta and tomatoes in stock instead of water guarantees extra flavour. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over before serving for a pop of fresh colour.
Try more tuna pasta recipes.
9. Chicken pasta bake
This chicken pasta bake is a cheesy family favourite that's easy to prepare on a busy weeknight. It's made in just three easy steps, and there's a helpful video tutorial to follow. It serves six, but it chills well – ideal for leftovers.
Discover even more chicken pasta recipes.
10. Halloumi pasta
Infuse pasta with the bold flavours of halloumi, olives, courgette, and tomato. This recipe serves four, and is satisfying while still being nutritious – it's low in both calories and fat.
Check out even more halloumi recipes.
11. Olive, cauliflower & harissa pasta
Add vibrant colour and a cosy warmth into this vegan midweek pasta with the addition of harissa. Here, it's combined with fried cauliflower, green olives and fresh parsley for a moreish pasta dish. If you crave spiciness, you can always add a little more harissa.
See more harissa recipes.
12. Pesto salmon pasta bake
Feed the family with this salmon pasta bake that contains added veg. Hidden under the pesto and mascarpone are broccoli and tomatoes, so the kids are guaranteed to eat some vegetables.
Discover more delicious pesto pasta recipes.
13. Nduja lasagne
Elevate classic lasagne by adding spicy nduja, which enhances the richness of this family favourite. A combination of grated and torn mozzarella results in an oozy, cheesy bake that makes this dish even more indulgent.
Try our other lasagne recipes.
14. Hearty pasta soup
Put shop-bought shortcuts to good use by making this hearty pasta soup with a pack of fresh filled tortelloni. It's filling, full of fibre and low in fat, and ideal for a large crowd, as the soup can be prepared and frozen ahead of time, then reheated for last-minute gatherings.
Discover more delicious tortellini recipes.
15. Vegan carbonara
Try a plant-based twist on an Italian classic with this vegan Healthy Diet Plan recipe. In our version, smoky paprika-infused mushrooms replace bacon, but the resulting dish has the same comforting creaminess as traditional carbonara. The added bonus? It's low in calories and rich in fibre, making it a wholesome choice.
See even more Italian-inspired pasta recipes.
16. Tuna & sundried tomato pasta bake
Give this tuna & sundried tomato pasta bake a go – it's simple to make using storecupboard ingredients you may already have. It can also be ready in just 25 minutes, and serves six. If you like, make and freeze this bake ahead of time, then bake on a busy weeknight.
Discover more delicious sundried tomato recipes.
17. One-pan pesto, chicken & spinach lasagne
This simple one-pan pasta bake results in less washing-up – ideal for midweek. Swap the chicken for peas or broad beans if you want a veggie option.
Try more of our family one-pot recipes.
18. Wild garlic & mushroom lasagne
Make the most of the short wild garlic season in the UK with our mushroom lasagne, where it's infused into the silky white sauce. Chestnut mushrooms make a great plant-based alternative for this vegetarian lasagne, as they are inexpensive, but meaty and filling. Mushrooms also bring umami notes, and can absorb intense flavours, such as white wine and garlic.
Discover more delicious mushroom pasta recipes.
19. Beef stroganoff with herby pasta
Discover our new take on classic beef stroganoff. We've swapped out the usual rice and opted instead for pappardelle pasta. The tender beef rump steak pairs well with button mushrooms, and it's finished with crème fraîche and parsley for richness and freshness.
See more stroganoff recipes.
20. Creamy pumpkin pasta
Make the most of pumpkins this autumn – when puréed and combined with mascarpone and parmesan, the flesh transforms into a silky, delicious pasta sauce. This recipe is high in fibre, and can be on the table in under an hour.
Check out our pumpkin recipes.
Comments, questions and tips
